I have no self-respect. But can a man of acute sensibility respect himself at all?

Existence alone had never been enough for him; he had always wanted more. Perhaps it was only from the force of his desires that he had regarded himself as a man to whom more was permitted than to others.

It was a wonderful night, such a night as is only possible when we are young, dear reader.

There is nothing more alluring to man than freedom of conscience, but neither is there anything more agonizing.

Do you believe in a future everlasting life? No, not in a future everlasting but in an everlasting life here. There are moments, you reach moments, and time comes to a sudden stop, and it will become eternal.

Father monks, why do you fast! Why do you expect reward in heaven for that?...No, saintly monk, you try being virtuous in the world, do good to society, without shutting yourself up in a monastery at other people's expense, and without expecting a reward up aloft for it--you'll find that a bit harder.

It is better to be unhappy and know the worst, than to be happy in a fool's paradise.